Castilian Infantry

Timeline

1. 1385–1420Castile · CastileAfter the crushing defeat at Aljubarrota, Castile strengthened infantry training and equipment, raising the proportion of pikemen and crossbowmen and gradually improving the town militia system, laying the foundation for rebuilding the 15th-century infantry system.
2. c. 1440–1460Castilian Plateau · CastileInfluenced by Italian Colonna tactics, Castilian nobles began organizing mixed infantry and light cavalry units by the colonna, with pike squares supported by crossbowmen and early firearms, becoming the typical field formation of the mid-to-late 15th century.
3. 1465–1474Castile · CastileDuring the struggle for the throne between the factions of Henry IV and Isabella, both sides conscripted large numbers of infantry for sieges and field battles. Infantry bore the main assault at battles such as Toro and Alcazar, and the use of firearms rose markedly.
4. c. 1475–1516Castile and Aragon · SpainAfter Isabella and Ferdinand unified the government, Castilian infantry organization was gradually standardized; the large tercio combining pikes, swords and shields, and arquebuses matured during the War of Granada, marking the transition of the 15th-century infantry system toward 16th-century Spanish military hegemony.